Brain Research 1993-08-13

Nitric oxide synthesis and action in an invertebrate brain.

M R Elphick, I C Green, M O'Shea

Index: Brain Res. 619 , 344-346, (1993)

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Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized in mammalian neurons by Ca2+/calmodulin activated NO synthase and functions as a signalling molecule by activating soluble guanylyl cyclases in target cells. We demonstrate here that both NO synthase and NO-activated guanylyl cyclase are present in the brain of the locust Schistocerca gregaria. Our observations indicate, for the first time, that the NO-cyclic GMP signalling pathway exists in invertebrate nervous systems.